8 Holiday Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy & Safe Alternatives

If you're expecting, stay safe by avoiding some holiday foods (or being sure they're cooked just so) and opting for other pregnancy-friendly substitutes instead.

As soon as you got pregnant, you likely started Googling all of the many foods you shouldn't eat during pregnancy — and probably found more than a few favorites on the list (no more sushi! goodbye favorite stinky cheese!). There's no doubt that sticking to that pregnancy diet can be even harder during the feast-heavy holidays.

But while missing out on a few foods might not be especially fun, it's for good reason: Your immune system isn't as strong as usual right now and baby’s is barely developed, which means both of you are more susceptible to the bacteria, parasites and viruses that are in some undercooked or raw foods. Fortunately, there are lots of safe and yummy alternatives that are OK for expecting women to eat. Here are a few holiday foods to avoid during pregnancy along with suggestions of what you can eat instead.

Cocktails

Wondering if just a cocktail here or there could do any harm? Health experts including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Food and Drug Administration and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. For a festive and refreshing party prop, mix cranberry juice with sparkling water and a sprig of mint and serve in a cocktail glass.

Homemade Eggnog

Even if the nog isn’t spiked with rum or whiskey, it can still be a holiday no-no. That’s because homemade eggnog is often made with raw or undercooked eggs that may contain salmonella bacteria. The good news: Commercially-manufactured eggnog (the kind you get premixed in cartons) is safe, since it's made with pasteurized eggs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Apple cider

Another classic holiday beverage to stay away from: fresh apple cider. Bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella can be present in unpasteurized juices, so avoid “homemade” ciders like the ones found at apple orchards, fruit stands and farmers markets — unless, of course, the juice is pasteurized. For a sweet and safe alternative in the same spirit, sprinkle a little cinnamon, allspice and sugar on fresh apple slices.

Turkey

To zap bacteria and parasites like E. coli, trichinella and toxoplasma, your holiday bird should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. And you can’t tell just by looking at your turkey whether or not it’s been heated to the appropriate temperature, so always use a meat thermometer to check. (Digital thermometers give an instant, accurate reading.)

Brisket

This classic, slow-cooked Hanukkah dish is also safe as long as it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (measured with a meat thermometer) to kill off any bacteria.

Stuffing

Ask your host if the stuffing was prepared inside or outside of the turkey. If it was inside, again make sure it reaches 165 degrees F, measured with a thermometer (also note that the USDA says it's safest to avoid pre-stuffed turkeys). Stuffing that’s prepared separately from the bird is perfectly safe.

Soft cheeses

Imported soft cheeses (think Brie, Camembert, feta and blue cheese) are staples of the holiday buffets. But unless you saw the packaging and read the word “pasteurized” on it, there’s no guarantee these cheeses aren't made with raw milk, which may contain listeria, disease-causing bacteria that can be problematic for pregnant women. (Listeria contamination is rare, but expectant mothers are 10 times more likely to develop an infection from it.) Hard cheeses are okay, though, so feel free to top your cracker with Gouda, cheddar or Parmesan.

Leftovers

The USDA recommends avoiding all foods that have been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, as many holiday spreads are. So make sure someone gets those leftovers in the fridge before you sit down to watch the game.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.